Belgium resolves impasse over CETA deal

The Belgian government and its regions have reached an agreement over the CETA trade pact between the EU and Canada, Prime Minister Charles Michel told reporters in Brussels. Early in the morning he said on Twitter: “Belgian agreement on #CETA . All parliaments are now able to approve by tomorrow at midnight. Important step for EU and Canada".

PM Michel added that the new text provides guarantees for farmers and on a corporate dispute settlement system that will allow Belgium to sign the deal. Now the latest changes must be ratified by 27 other nations in the European Union.
Politicians in Wallonia, putting the veto, had argued that the proposed accord would undermine labour, environment and consumer standards.

“This is a positive development, but there is still work to do,” said Alex Lawrence, the spokesperson for Canada's International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland.

“Canada has done its job. We negotiated a progressive agreement that will create jobs and growth for the middle class. Canada remains ready to sign this important agreement when Europe is ready” he added.